Nature is usually wrong.

If the man who paints only the tree, or flower, or other surface he sees before him were an artist, the king of artists would be the photographer. It is for the artist to do something beyond this.

The masterpiece should appear as the flower to the painter - perfect in its bud as in its bloom - with no reason to explain its presence - no mission to fulfill - a joy to the artist, a delusion to the philanthropist - a puzzle to the botanist - an accident of sentiment and alliteration to the literary man.

People will forgive anything but beauty and talent. So I am doubly unpardonable.

The vast majority of English folk cannot and will not consider a picture as a picture, apart from any story which it may be supposed to tell.

The explanation is quite simple. I wished to be near my mother.

I am not arguing with you - I am telling you.